# Terry Alexander (actor)

Terry Alexander (born March 23) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of John in George A. Romero's film Day of the Dead (1985). He also played police commissioner Troy Nichols on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1990 to 1993).

## Early life

Alexander was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He originally planned to become a dentist, but he eventually shifted his focus to acting. He attended Wayne State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater.

## Career

In the 1960s, Alexander joined an African American theater group, earning fifteen dollars for each performance. He eventually began working in both theater and television. Alexander played Johnny Williams in the original Broadway production of Charles Gordone's No Place to Be Somebody. The play opened August 27, 1971. He was cast on the NBC soap opera Another World, playing the recurring role of Sgt. Zach Richards from 1972 to 1974.
He had an uncredited role in the film Death Wish (1974). In August 1974, Alexander appeared in the Off-Broadway play Naomi Court at New York's Manhattan Theatre Club. Alexander played Roger in the original Broadway production of David Rabe's Streamers. The play opened April 21, 1976. He appeared in the television mini-series King (1978), co-starring with Cicely Tyson. Alexander had an uncredited role in the film All That Jazz (1979). He had a recurring role on Hill Street Blues. He also appeared on Behind the Screen.
In 1982, he played Robert Walsh in the television film Desperate Lives. He also played Jason MacWilliams in the television film Benny's Place. Alexander guest starred on Fame. In 1984, he guest starred on Gimme a Break! and Benson. He played Peterson in the film Flashpoint (1984).
Alexander was cast as John in George A. Romero's Day of the Dead (1985). He guest starred on Hometown, Leg Work, and Amen. In March 1986, he starred as Earl in the Off-Broadway play Black Girl. Alexander appeared as Casey in the film House III (also titled The Horror Show) (1989). In March 1989, he starred as Vernard Jr. in the play Some Sweet Day at Connecticut's Long Wharf Theatre.
In 1990, he was cast on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, playing police commissioner Troy Nichols. The role was initially meant to be recurring, but he was eventually signed to a contract. Alexander stayed on the show until 1993. In May 1993, he appeared as Mac in the play Playboy of the West Indies at New York's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. He appeared in the Hal Hartley film Amateur (1994). Alexander played The Founding Father in a production of The America Play in March 1994.
In April 1995, Alexander played Dady Jerry in Dancing on Moonlight at The Public Theater. Alexander appeared in the television film Cagney & Lacey: Together Again (1995). He guest starred on New York Undercover. Alexander appeared as Tuck in a production of Slaughter City. The play ran from March to April 1996. He played Duane in the film Hurricane Streets (1997). He also played Flip in the film Conspiracy Theory (1997).
He guest starred on Law & Order in 1999. Alexander appeared in the Sidney Lumet film Gloria (1999). He guest starred on The Education of Max Bickford in 2001.
In 2021, it was announced that Alexander would appear in the horror film The Dark Offerings. The film is the first socially distant feature shot entirely during COVID-19 quarantine. In 2024, he joined the cast of the horror film Stream.

## Personal life

As of 1992, Alexander was divorced and had one child, a son.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1973 | The Werewolf of Washington | Guard | |
| 1974 | Death Wish | | Uncredited role |
| 1979 | All That Jazz | Hospital Orderly | Uncredited role |
| 1984 | Flashpoint | Peterson | |
| 1985 | Day of the Dead | John | |
| 1989 | House III | Casey | Also titled The Horror Show |
| 1990 | Hot Hippo | Narrator (voice) | Short film |
| 1994 | Amateur | Frank, the Cook | |
| 1997 | Hurricane Streets | Duane | |
| 1997 | Conspiracy Theory | Flip | |
| 1999 | Gloria | Transit Cop No.2 | |
| 2016 | Ihailed | | |
| 2019 | The Last Call | Harry Cunningham | Short film |
| 2021 | A New York Minute | Frank | Short film |
| 2021 | The Dark Offerings | Dr. Mantis Tobogan | |
| 2024 | Stream | Detective Hart | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1972–1974 | Another World | Sgt. Zach Richards | Recurring role |
| 1977 | The Andros Targets | Beanie | Episode: "Requiem for a Stolen Child: Part 2" |
| 1978 | King | Bernard Lee | Television miniseries 3 episodes |
| 1979 | Salvage 1 | Firing Squad Officer | Episode: "Operation Breakout" |
| 1980 | Angel on My Shoulder | Luke | Television film |
| 1981 | Today's FBI | | Episode: "Hostage" |
| 1981; 1983 | Hill Street Blues | Theo Monroe; Quincy | 4 episodes |
| 1982 | Fantasies | Harold Johnson | Television film |
| 1982 | Desperate Lives | Robert Walsh | Television film |
| 1982 | Benny's Place | Jason MacWilliams | Television film |
| 1982 | The First Time | Chief Duty Officer | Television film |
| 1982 | Fame | Mr. Belmont | Episode: "Solo Song" |
| 1983 | Casablanca | | Episode: "Divorce Casablanca Style" |
| 1983 | AfterMASH | Johnson | Episode: "Night Shift" |
| 1983; 1984 | Benson | Richie; Mr. Adams | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | Gimme a Break! | | Episode: "James Returns" |
| 1984 | Lace | Sir Douglas | Television miniseries 2 episodes |
| 1985 | Hometown | | |
| 1987 | Leg Work | District Attorney Marner | Episode: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" |
| 1988 | Amen | Stage Manager | Episode: "Look at Me, I'm Running" |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Freddy | Episode: "Cop's Story" |
| 1990–1993 | One Life to Live | Troy Nichols | Contract role: May 28, 1990–1993 |
| 1995 | Cagney and Lacey: Together Again | Jacques | Television film |
| 1995 | New York Undercover | Dr. Crowley | Episode: "High on the Hog" |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue | Det. Bauman | Episode: "Moby Greg" |
| 1999 | Homicide: Life on the Street | Larry Moss | Episode: "Zen and the Art of Murder" |
| 1999 | Law & Order | Harry Gales | Episode: "Refuge: Part 2" |
| 1999 | Double Platinum | | Television film |
| 2000; 2001 | Deadline | Jono; National | 6 episodes |
| 2001 | 100 Centre Street | | Episode: "Hostage" |
| 2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Security Supervisor | Episode: "Pique" |
| 2001 | The Education of Max Bickford | Gil Bryant | Episode: "In the Details" |